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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Nestled at the
base of the Rocky Mountains, visitors to Colorado Springs can enjoy commanding
views of Pikes Peak from just about any part of town. The multiple recreational
opportunities afforded by the nearby mountains include everything from hiking
to taking in the breathtaking geological wonders at Garden of the Gods Park,
Cave of the Winds and the Paint Mines Interpretive Park.

Colorado Springs has a Thriving
Arts and Cultural Scene

History the area’s first inhabitants were American Indian
people. The Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho and other tribes gathered at the base of
Pikes Peak, near its abundant springs. During the 18th Century both
French and Spanish flags flew over the region. But with the Louisiana Purchase
more Anglo-American explorers and settlers began to venture west. In 1859, Colorado
Springs history is marked with the founding of Colorado City which became the
first settlement in the Pikes Peak region. It was the territorial capitol for a
short period and served as a supply camp for miners traveling to the mining
camps west of Denver.

By 1871, the Denver and Rio Grande
Railroad facilitated visits to a Victorian
spa resort town at the base of Pikes Peak. The stunning scenic beauty was
not the only thing that attracted people to the area. The sunny conditions and
dry, mild climate of Colorado Springs made these communities popular for people
suffering from poor health, especially tuberculosis.

Gold was discovered on the western slope
of Pikes Peak, one of the richest gold strikes in American history. Almost
overnight, the Cripple Creek Mining District grew from an isolated cattle
pasture to the home of more than 50,000 people. By the turn of the 19th
century, Colorado Springs was called the city of millionaires.

Since the 1940s, Colorado Springs
has been home to major military installations including Fort Carson, Peterson
Air Force Base, the U.S. Space Command, NORAD, Schriever Air Force Base and the
United States Air Force Academy.

Colorado Springs is a National Trust for Historic
Preservation Distinctive Destination

Colorado
Springs was
selected for its walkable historic areas, its commitment to sustainability and
its natural attractions and ample recreational opportunities in the nearby
Rocky Mountains. Activities range from family itineraries to
educational, cultural and a wide range of outdoor programs: rafting, biking,
rock climbing, horseback riding and fishing.

Planning Your Trip assumes uniquely local
dimensions wherever you go; the activities that you, the visitor – local, or
global – select and irrespective of the length of your stay, are unique
of the community you are visiting and rooted into the local economy, history
and traditions.

TEMAdevelops personalized travel itineraries based
on client interests by leveraging an
in-depth knowledge of your destination, superior client service in the planning
stages and throughout the trip or event as well as logistics expertise to
reduce accommodations and transport costs and transfer times.

Art Galleries and Shopping for over a century, artisans have
been inspired by the amazing beauty of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak
region. Local art can be found in
one-of-a-kind boutiques, discount stores and world-famous chains.

Museums Step back in time and explore the Wild West at the
Pioneers Museum or Outlaws and Lawmen Museum. Enjoy the art and culture
at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. A variety of experience ranging
from space and aviation to natural history, railroads and ghost towns.

Sports Colorado Springs is home of the U.S. Olympic Committee and
Training Center. The high altitude, pleasant climate and natural beauty
make training or competing here a unique location for your team and sport.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Belriguardo Castle gets its name from a fifteenth century poet, so
impressed with its beauty, that he exclaimed that he planned on bel
riguardare, keep looking at it and admiring it!

It was built in 1435. At that time it had some of the characteristics
of a castle - tower, battlements, drawbridge and a moat. However, all these
elements had more of a decorative and less of a defensive function: in front of
the tower there is a porch, behind the battlements there were no walk ways for
the soldiers, along with many fixed bridges.

In practice, Belriguardo was a medieval castle turned
into a Renaissance villa designed along the lines of a Greek one: the first
courtyard had porticoes on three sides, with the second on all four sides. It
was built as the summer residence of the Este family, rulers of nearby Ferrara
from the 13th century until 1598. In fact, Belriguardo can be
considered the first summer residence of a European ruling family; a precursor
of Versailles for the French monarchy, Venaria for the Savoy dynasty, the
Quirinale and Castel Gandolfo for the popes, the Tsars’ palaces and the Caserta
royal palace for the Bourbon kings of Naples.

With as many as 360 frescoed halls, on one occasion Belriguardo
hosted simultaneously the courts of Ferrara, Bologna, Milan and Mantua; at
least two thousand people could eat and sleep at court and its stables could
hold 800 horses. The Este family entertained its guests with naval battles in
the fishpond.

Inside this UNESCO protected property, one can admire
the Sala della Vigna (1536), built by Duke Ercole II, son of Lucrezia Borgia,
as well as many 16th century frescoes by the Dossi brothers, Benvenuto
Tisi and Girolamo da Carpi. The floor is one of the few orginals from this
period.

The Civic Museum of Belriguardo is based in the castle
and its archeological section includes the original wooden beams, known as
composite beams, each in turn formed by seven smaller ones interlocked without
the use of nails. Their design originates from a Leonardo Da Vinci drawing.

The Archaeological section contains finds from the Etruscan (IV-III century
BC), Roman (I-III century AD) and Byzantine (VI-VII century AD) periods.Some of the Roman period items are considered
by researchers of great interest and a few are even unique in the world.

Belriguardo Castle is an excellent starting point for
a visit to Ferrara and surrounding areas, one of the cradles of the Italian
Renaissance. Nearby, you can taste the regional cuisine, considered the best in
Italy.

About Arezza

Arezza is a nonprofit foundation that develops,
funds and manages sustainable tourism, environmental and community economic
development projects in selected communities in collaboration with local
partners. The word is from the dialect for a fishing net; in Italian, “rete” is
the word for network, representing communities working together to achieve
common goals.

The Arezza Mission

Create new sustainable wealth and economic
opportunities in a community by:

vImproving local knowledge and expertise,

vEnsuring accountability and responsibility by
participants,

vEducating clients about our communities to
ensure respect for local values and traditions,